EU CITIZENS WIN RIGHT TO INTERPRETATION

THE GLOBAL HERALD - LINDA HAYWOOD

The European Parliament has today adopted a new law to ensure anyone facing charges in an EU country is given access to an interpreter and translation of documents. The directive was adopted by the European Parliament today by 637 votes to 21, with 19 abstentions.

The problems arising from inadequate criminal proceedings within the EU has been much publicised by Fair Trials International, who oppose the European Arrest Warrant on the grounds that some EU member states have insufficient guarantees of a fair trial when compared with Britain.

Jago Russell, Chief Executive of Fair Trials International, said:

“We are delighted that a Directive guaranteeing this key fair trial right has finally been adopted. For too long people charged with offences in other European countries have been denied a fair trial because they could not understand the charges or the evidence against them. We urge the European Parliament to continue its work to put fundamental rights at the heart of European justice policy and press on with other measures to protect key fair trial rights, such as access to a lawyer.”